When Did the Church Start?

When Did the Church Start?
David J. Stewart

Eleven Reasons Why Jesus’ Church Was in Existence Prior to The Day of PentecostSome Scriptural reasons why the Church was not established on the day of Pentecost, but rather, began with the first family back in Genesis:

1. It had a rule of discipline before Pentecost (Matthew 18:17).
2. We read that Jesus sang in the Church (Hebrews 2:12). The only time that Jesus ever sang, so far as we have any record of it, was at the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:26). This was before Pentecost.
3. They had a business meeting before the day of Pentecost and elected a successor to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:15-26).
4. The Apostles were in the Church before the day of Pentecost (1st Corinthians 12:28). The first ones who were put in the Church were the Apostles, and this was at least three years before the day of Pentecost.
5. The Church had its commission to preach before Pentecost (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).
6. The Church had its authority to baptize before Pentecost (John 4:2).
7. The Church had the Lord’s Supper before Pentecost (Matthew 26:30).
8. The keys of the Kingdom were given to it before Pentecost (Matthew 16:19).
9. It had a church roll before Pentecost with names on the roll (Acts 1:15).
10. To this church there were about 3,000 “added” on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:42). If I were to tell you I was going to “add” $200 to my bank account, this would imply that I already have a bank account to begin with. In view of the fact that 3,000 were “added” to the Church on the day of Pentecost, then we are led to believe that the Church was in existence before Pentecost.
11. And perhaps the strongest evidence of all that the Church DIDN’T begin on Pentecost is found in Acts 7:37,38 where we read about the “church in the wilderness” in the Old Testament…
    

    “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.”

Let any other man who believes that the Church was founded on the day of Pentecost, answer these eleven reasons. Until such an answer is forthcoming, accept only the Word of God, and not the words of men.

Certainly, the debate over “when” the Church started is not a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Many good preachers, such as Oliver B. Greene and M.R. DeHann believe that the Church began on the Day of Pentecost. I disagree. I personally agree with Pastor Jack Hyles that the Church began back in Genesis with the first Christian family. The local church today is a surrogate family. In the Old Testament, the eldest in the family was the spiritual leader, who provided guidance for the rest of the family. Due to urbanization and the migration of the family, churches became a necessity to provide a surrogate family. Howbeit, the Church has been around for thousands of years, going back at least 4,000 years to the “church in the wilderness”. The Church could not have begun on the Day of Pentecost.

Is God Male or Female?

Is God Male or Female?

In examining Scripture, two facts become clear: First, that God is a Spirit, and does not possess human characteristics or limitations; second, that all the evidence contained in Scripture agrees that God revealed Himself to mankind in a male form. First of all, God’s true nature needs to be understood. God is a person, obviously, because God exhibits all the characteristics of personhood: God has a mind, a will, an intellect, and emotions. God communicates, has relationships, and God’s personal actions are evidenced throughout Scripture.

As John 4:24 states, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Since God is a spiritual being, God does not possess physical, human characteristics; however, sometimes figurative language used in Scripture assigns human characteristics to God in order to make it possible for man to understand God. This assignment of human characteristics to describe God is called “anthropomorphism.” Anthropomorphism is simply a means for God (a spiritual being) to communicate truth about His nature to mankind, a physical being. Since man is a physical being, man is limited in his understanding of those things beyond the physical realm, and anthropomorphism in Scripture helps man to understand who God is.

Some of the difficulty comes in examining the fact that man is created in God’s image.  Genesis 1:26-27 says “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

What this means, is that both man and woman are created in the image of God, in that they are greater than all the other creations as they, like God, have a mind, will, intellect, emotions, and moral capacity.  Animals do not possess a moral capacity, and do not possess an immaterial component like mankind does.  Genesis tells us that when man was created by God, God breathed the “breath of life” into man.  No other creation is described this way, and that “breath of life” is the spiritual component that man alone possesses.  God created man to have a relationship with Him; man is the only creation designed for that purpose, and that “breath of life” is evidence of that.

That said, man and woman are only patterned after the image of God—they are not tiny “carbon copies” of God, and the fact that there are men and women does not require that God have male and female features, or that God be a woman.  Remember, being made in the image of God has nothing to do with physical characteristics.

We know that God is a spiritual being, and does not possess physical characteristics.  This does not limit however, how God may choose to reveal Himself to mankind.  Scripture contains all the revelation God gave to man about Himself, and so is the only really objective source of information about God.  In looking at what Scripture tells us, there are several observations of evidence about the form in which God revealed Himself to mankind:

To begin with, Scripture contains almost 170 references to God as the “Father.”  By necessity, one cannot be a father unless he is male.  If what was meant to be communicated was that God chose to be revealed to man in a female form, then the word “mother” would have occurred in these places, not “father.”  In the Old and New Testament both, masculine pronouns are used over and over again in reference to God.

Deuteronomy 34:10 has this to say about Moses, who wrote the first five books of Scripture, the Pentateuch: “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,”  This verse describes how close Moses’ relationship with God was.  Since Moses walked so closely with God, we can be assured that Moses has probably recorded the nature of God and the means by which He revealed Himself to Moses accurately.  Moses referred to God with masculine pronouns and with masculine titles in all of his writings.

Jesus Christ referred to God as the Father several times, and in other cases used masculine pronouns in reference to God.  In the Gospels alone, Christ uses the term “Father” in direct reference to God nearly 160 times.  Of particular interest is Christ’s statement in John 10:30.  He says here, “I and [my] Father are one.”  Obviously Jesus Christ came in the form of a human man to die on the cross as payment for the sins of the world, and like God the Father, was revealed to mankind in a male form.  Scripture records numerous other instances where Christ utilized masculine nouns and pronouns in reference to God.

The New Testament Epistles (From Acts to Revelation) also contain nearly 900 verses where the word “theos”—a masculine noun in the Greek—is used in direct reference to God.  In most cases, this is rendered “God” in English versions.

In countless references to God in Scripture, there is clearly a consistent pattern of Him being referred to with masculine titles, nouns and pronouns.  While God is not a man, but is a Spirit, He chose a masculine form in order to reveal Himself to mankind.  Likewise, Jesus Christ, who is constantly referred to with masculine titles, nouns and pronouns took a male form while He walked on the earth.  The prophets of the Old Testament and the Apostles of the New Testament refer to both God and Jesus Christ with masculine names and titles.  God chose to be revealed in this form in order for man to more easily grasp who God is.  To assert that God chose a female form to be revealed to man is not consistent with the pattern established by Scripture.  Again, had God chosen a feminine form, there would be more evidence in Scripture of that.  That evidence simply does not exist.  While God makes allowances in order to help mankind understand Him, it is important to not try to “force God into a box” so to speak, by placing limitations on Him that are not appropriate to the nature of who He is.

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Who is the Biggest Sinner?

Who is the Biggest Sinner?

By David J. Stewar

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” —James 2:10

You are! I am! We all are! It is human nature to look upon the sins and faults of others, while often overlooking our own sins. This is hypocrisy. One of the worst deceptions is overlooking our own faults. The Word of God proclaims in James 2:10 that committing even ONE SIN makes a person GUILTY in God’s eyes of breaking every command in the Bible. This is a startling doctrine that is hardly touched upon in churches today.

This is why the divorce rate amongst professed Christians is equal to that of the heathen unsaved world. In filing for divorce, a person is saying: “My spouse is a bigger sinner than I am; therefore, I have a right to abandon, quit and break my marriage vows.” No you don’t! Divorce is a horrible sin rooted in one’s own hypocritical self-righteousness. Nearly everyone who files for divorce blames their spouse. This is evil. The Bible teaches that we are all as guilty as the vilest sinner in God’s eyes. This doctrine is virtually unheard of nowadays, because few preachers stress the Law of God anymore, which condemns all of us as guilty sinners before God.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

In the eyes of men, murdering someone is obviously worse than stealing their lunch; but as far as God is concerned we are all equally lacking any righteousness of our own. We are each as dirty and rotten as the other guy. Oftentimes what people perceive as acceptable, such as homosexuality and abortion, is an abomination unto God. If we SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES as Jesus commanded in John 5:39, then we can only come to the conclusion that we are as sinful as the worst sinner in God’s eyes and it matters not who is more guilty. We are all guilty (Romans 3:10,23). The fact of the matter is that we are all sinners deserving of punishment in Hell (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15). Although we may never commit murder or rob a bank, that does not make us any less guilty of being a horrible sinner in the eyes of God.

People tend to selfishly judge themselves based upon what sins they personally DON’T commit. The Bible perfectly illustrates this in Jesus’ account of the Pharisee and the publican who went up to the temple to pray.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14).

The Pharisee in Luke 18:10-14 made the grave mistake of comparing himself with other people, instead of measuring himself up against the holy Law of God. If we foolishly look at other people who commit worse sins than we do, then we naturally become self-righteousness and think we are “better” than that person. I tell you, you are as filthy and rotten as Adolf Hitler in God’s eyes, and so am I.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

Would to God that Christians in churches today would stop saying, “he has sinned” or “she has sinned” and that we’d all start saying, “we have sinned“. It is sinful pride that causes a wife to publicly criticize or divorce her husband. It is sinful pride that causes the manure spreading newsmedia to mercilessly destroy people’s lives. It is sinful pride that causes children to broadcast their parent’s dirty laundry to others. It is sinful pride that causes self-righteous hypocrites to meddle in other people’s marriages. I came to the realization one day as a believer that I am as rotten and sinful as the worst sinner. I am just as sinful as any adulterer, mass-murderer, homosexual, thief, liar or Satan worshiper…etc out there in the world. My sins are just as woeful and wrong. I have no room to condemn.

The Apostle Paul realized this great truth.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1st Timothy 1:15).

The Apostle Paul was a faithful missionary, who loved the Lord Jesus Christ and helped people everywhere he went. Paul suffered horribly from shipwreck, hunger, turmoil and malicious beatings from his enemies; yet he kept going for God. Paul was a mighty preacher and a strong Christian. Although Paul was arguably the greatest missionary who ever lived, he still addressed himself as the “chief of sinners”. I don’t know too many believers today who are anywhere near as dedicated and committed to Jesus Christ as was Paul. If a good Christian like Paul esteemed himself as the “chief of sinners”, then we ought to feel the same way.

Judging versus Condemning

We must distinguish between condemning someone for their sins versus publicly exposing them because they are a threat to society. I publicly expose abortionists (murderers), homosexuals (sex perverts) and religious deceivers (liars) through my online ministry; but I do not condemn any of them personally. I am not condemning them; God’s Word condemns all of us (Romans 3:19-23). I am as rotten and sinful as the worst sinner. I am not self-righteous; I am trusting upon HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:21). I deserve to burn in Hell and there’s absolutely nothing good about me except the Lord Jesus Christ Who lives in my heart, thankfully.

If a local school has a teacher who is teaching teens how to have homosexual “fist sex”, which is happening nowadays in Massachusetts, then that evil person needs to be exposed. Godless heathens are quick to cry out, “Jesus said, ‘judge not lest ye be not judged.’ ” They conveniently fail to quote John 7:24 where Jesus stated, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” So we are supposed to judge, but rightfully so.

Ephesians 5:10-11 reads, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” The word “proving” in Ephesians 5:10 is the Greek word “dokimazo” and means “to test”. Thus, God wants us to test everything, to judge righteously, to discern whether or not something is acceptable to Him, i.e., in agreement with His holy Word. Certainly, it is NOT acceptable to teach children that it’s acceptable for Timmy to stick his fist in Johnny’s backside as an expression of love. We are living in a sicko society in America. Ephesians 5:11 commands God-fearing believers to reprove [Greek: elencho, i.e., “to expose”] all works of darkness. This is not condemning; but rather, judging righteously as we are supposed to do.

Conclusion

Would to God that more believers today would realize the extent of their wickedness in the eyes of God. We are a sorry bunch. Our only hope is the precious Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation that He freely offers to us, paid for by His own shed blood.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1st Peter 1:18,19).

If it weren’t for the literal precious blood of Jesus Christ, we’d all be doomed to the Lake of Fire. God is a good God… “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Amen!

One day I had preached a rip-snortin’, shingle-pullin’, window-rattlin’, hell-fire and damnation sermon to a group of about 80 people in Chicago. After the sermon I stepped outside for some fresh air. I glanced over and noticed a gentleman smoking. He felt embarrassed and said, “I’m sorry reverend for smoking in front of you.” I replied, “I preach against sin from the pulpit; but away from the pulpit I’m just as much a sinner as anyone else. You’re in good company friend. You need not apologize.” He had wrongly esteemed that he was a bigger sinner than me; but I am the biggest sinner I know. If you want to see the biggest sinner, then just look in the mirror. You and I are as guilty of sin as anyone else.

Jesus’ Own Claim to be the Son of God Brings Muslim to Christ

Jesus’ Own Claim to be the Son of God Brings Muslim to Christ

Issue Date: July/August 2000
By David Daniels

You love Muslim people, and you want to witness to them. But when you talk to them about Jesus, they say, “Jesus was not God’s Son! He was just another one of the prophets.” In fact, they are likely to challenge you with the question: “Where did Jesus ever claim to be God’s Son?”

The question is vital, because they are taught that Jesus was a prophet of God, and that prophets do not lie. Where did Jesus Himself make the claim to be God’s Son?

The answer is right there, in God’s preserved words. Don’t try to use a corrupt modern version, it will let you down.

In John 10:36, Jesus said, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”

Obviously, Jesus was being accused of blasphemy for claiming to be God’s Son. Where did He say it? In the previous chapter, John 9:35-38, where Jesus had just healed the man born blind, and the Pharisees cast the healed man out of the synagogue.

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him.”

Ask your Muslim friend, “Only God can receive worship, right?” When he says yes, reply “Then Jesus clearly claimed to be God. Only as God could Jesus, who cannot lie, receive worship.”

These simple, straightforward Scriptures convinced a very good Muslim friend of mine. He is now a Christian, and going to heaven. May God give you success as you witness to your Muslim friends.

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“He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for HE SAID, I am the Son of God.” -Matthew 27:43

“I Need More Proof”

“I Need More Proof”

By David J. Stewart

“Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverb 1:20-22).

There is so much truth available today that you have to not want the information to remain in darkness. The same was true in Bible times. The Bible proclaims in Proverbs 1:20-22 that wisdom crieth out in the streets for people to listen; but they do not. It is interesting that God mentions “scorners” (i.e., critics) and “fools” who hate knowledge. The Bible is brutally honest. Many people are critics. No matter what you say, they simply won’t believe it because they don’t want to believe. The reason why is because they HATE knowledge (i.e., facts and evidence that PROVE them wrong).

They Didn’t Listen to Jesus Either

Jesus had the same difficulties with people, who refused to believe Him no matter what He said and did.

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?“ (Matthew 11:2,3).

“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?…” (John 14:7-9).

“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32).

“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him” (Matthew 27:41,42).

“And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” (Luke 23:36,37).

“And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not…” (John 10:23-25)

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39).

“And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven” (Luke 11:16).

We find a pattern in the Scriptures of unbelievers and doubtful believers who continually placed Jesus on trial “If Thou be the Son of God…”

Thus, it shouldn’t be surprising to us today that people refuse to believe the truth, even in the face of irrefutable evidence and facts. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, made the lame to walk and the blind to see; yet, many of the Jews rejected Him as the Christ and refused to believe His Word. Today, 2000 years later, scornful people are still rejecting Christ’s Word. The problem is NOT a lack of evidence or facts; but rather, a sinful heart of indifference and unbelief.

Wisdom Crieth in the Streets

The truth is available if people want it. Although the internet is plagued with heresy and lies, it is also still one of the last remaining bastions of truth. God always makes a way to get the truth to those who desire it. The truth is present amidst the lies, and those who have a good and honest heart will recognize it. There are thousands of informative books available freely on the internet that contain the truth about nearly every subject. We must have enough character to be willing to “buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverb 23:23). Fortunately, the two most important truths in our lives are also freely available, the precious Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The worst place to look for the truth is from the lying news-media, from the lying criminal politicians, from the lying public school system, or from today’s lying apostate churches. It is tragic that so many professed “Christians” get their doctrine from the latest New York Times Bestseller. Jesus commanded in John 5:39 “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!!!“

Conclusion

There is proof of God all around us “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” This Scripture should scare you immensely if you are a professed atheist or Christ-rejecter. God won’t accept any excuses on Judgment Day. All the “proof” you need is outside your front door.

I have met countless skeptics and naysayers who demanded “proof” of the truth I attempted to share with them. It is sad and hypocritical that such people blindly accept the unproven theories of Evolution and the junk science of Global Warming; while simultaneously requiring documentable, irrefutable, incontestable proof of the validity of God’s Word. Why the double standard? it just goes to show that such people hate the truth and you simply can’t talk sense to them.

As I mentioned earlier, There is so much truth available today that you have to not want the information to remain in darkness.

Jesus – A Man of Sorrows

Jesus – A Man of Sorrows

By David J. Stewart

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…” (Isaiah 53:3)

Contrary to the health, wealth and prosperity image of Jesus Christ that Charismatics put forth, Jesus was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Jesus said He had no pillow to place His head upon at night… “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). Jesus was homeless in all material senses.

Everywhere Jesus went, He was scorned and ridiculed because of His youth… “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” (John 8:57). Yet, Jesus spake as no man had ever spoken… “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). Jesus was a remarkable young man who spoke with Authority, i.e., the Truth of God’s Word; and He was hated for it… “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham” (John 8:40). “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:45). Jesus was sorrowful that the Jews didn’t believe His Word.

When Jesus went to His own town of Nazareth, they rejected Him… “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24). Jesus was angry and grieved because of the hardness of the Jew’s hearts… “And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.“

There were many places Jesus went, where the Bible says He DIDN’T perform any mighty works because of their unbelief… “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching” (Mark 6:5,6). No wonder Jesus was so grieved and sad; He wanted to heal the sick and help others, but oftentimes didn’t because of their unbelief.

In Luke 8:52, 53 we read that the crowd laughed Jesus to scorn when He said He could raise the dead… “And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.”

When Lazarus died, the Jews had no faith and it grieved Jesus’ heart. Instead of having faith that He could raise the dead, they criticized Jesus for allowing Lazarus to die in the first place…

“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave…” (John 11:33-38).

This troubled the Lord, understandably. No matter how many miracles Jesus performed, and how many people He healed, and how many good things He did to help others; the crowd always criticized Him, demanding more miracles and questioning His Word and deity…

“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:37).

Even Jesus’ own disciples didn’t believe Mary when she said Jesus had raised up from the dead as He had promised…

“And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” (Mark 16:11-14).

Oh how the human heart is prone to unbelief… “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus loved people and wept over Jerusalem because of the unbelief of the Jews…

“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:41).

No matter what Jesus did to open the eyes of the Jews, they always came back wanting more proof…

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?“ (Matthew 11:2,3)

“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?…” (John 14:7-9)

“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32).

“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him” (Matthew 27:41,42).

“And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” (Luke 23:36,37).

“And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not…” (John 10:23-25)

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39)

“And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven” (Luke 11:16).

It is clear from the Scriptures why the Lord was a man of sorrows, because everywhere Jesus went the Jews mocked Him, rejected Him and refused to believe. They always demanded more evidence. Thankfully, many of the Jews who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the grave DID believe (John 11:45). Even some of the Pharisees believed (John 12:42). However, the majority of the Jews hated Jesus and in their anger demanded His crucifixion, saying to Pilate who sought to release Jesus… “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Literally, the Jews said to Pilate, “Kill Jesus and we’ll gladly take responsibility for it.” And so it was.

In John 16:33 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus said in John 16:22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” We are living in a cruel, selfish and hateful world where people oftentimes rob us of our joy. People are as rotten as they can be in today’s American society. But Jesus said the day will come when He comes back to get us, that we may live with Him in Heaven, and we shall rejoice in the peace and rest that He will give to us. No one will ever make us sad again! What a day that will be!!! Although the world is a miserable place to live, God promises a bright and peaceful future in Heaven for the Christian believer, i.e., those who have been born-again in Christ Jesus.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” —John 16:20

Salvation is of the Lord

Salvation is of the Lord

By David J. Stewart

“Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly… Salvation is of the LORD.” —Jonah 2:9

I was reading the Old Testament Book of Jonah the other day and stumbled across a truth that I never saw before. We often hear the Biblical story about Jonah and the Whale; but I’ve never heard anyone address the prayer which Jonah cried out from the whale’s belly.

Some critics of the King James Bible has quarreled over the word “whale” in the Bible. Matthew 12:40 in the New King James Version (NKJV) and the New International Version (NIV) errantly change “whale” to “fish”. The Greek word used in Matthew 12:40 is ketos. The scientific study of whales just happens to be – CETOLOGY – from the Greek ketos for whale and logos for study! The scientific name for whales just happens to be – CETACEANS – from the Greek ketos for whale! So “whale” is the correct translation, which the King James translators faithfully preserved.

Jonah’s Desperate Prayer from the Whale’s Belly

Here is what Jonah prayed to God from the inside of the whale’s belly:

“Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” —Jonah 2:1-10

Jonah said something remarkable in his prayer to God. Jonah stated that people who trust in “lying vanities” for their salvation literally “forsake their own mercy”. That is to say, they forfeit the free gift of eternal life which God in His loving mercy has made available to all mankind through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. This would be equivalent to the Apostle Paul’s statement in Galatians 5:4 “Ye are fallen from grace.” There is ONLY one way to Heaven and that is through the precious redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). Anyone who tries to merit Heaven some “other way” has fallen from the saving grace of God, and has forsaken the mercy which God has bestowed upon them through the gift of eternal life found only in Christ Jesus (Acts 4:10-12; John 10:1,9).

God’s Merciful Gift of Eternal Life Versus the Lying Vanities of a False Gospel

As I read Jonah’s plea to God, I couldn’t help but immediately think of all the religious people in the world today who trust in “lying vanities” to get them to Heaven. They have forsaken the very mercy that God has bestowed upon them through His precious Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the wrath of God abideth upon them (John 3:36).

Jonah knew that “SALVATION IS OF THE LORD” and pondered over it in the whale’s belly. I find it very interesting that Jonah was thinking about the merciful gift of God, and of those who trust in “lying vanities” which lead to Hellfire. You see, when Jonah was fleeing from God he was only thinking about himself; but now that Jonah is in woe and desperation, he is thinking about what is important to God—SOULWINNING!!! I believe Jonah was thinking about the unsaved inhabitants of Nineveh (where God had told him to go preach the Gospel). Jonah promised God to obey His will if his life was spared. God caused the whale to spew Jonah forth on dry ground. Interestingly, Jonah made a 3-day journey in just ONE DAY. Jonah ran all the way to Nineveh after God delivered him from being entangled in weeds in the whale’s belly in the depths of the sea. That’s quite a testimony.

Many religious people today have a false sense of peace, like the calm in the eye of a hurricane, because they’ve been lied to by some unholy priest or arrogant minister. Death and destruction await them after the calm is gone, i.e., when they enter into eternity in their sins without the Lord. The most dangerous thing you’ll ever do it trust what men say. You’d better do what Jesus commanded in John 5:39 “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!!!” You’ll never go wrong listening to the Word of God.

The Bible is filled with warnings about listening to people:

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” —Psalm 118:8

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” —Proverb 16:25

“Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.” —Jeremiah 7:8

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” —Jeremiah 17:5

“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” —Romans 3:4

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” —Matthew 15:8,9

Jonah knew that SALVATION IS OF THE LORD, and that those who trust in “lying vanities” are traveling on a highway to Hell. Phooey on what El Papa over in Rome says. Phooey on what your priest says (who’s saturated with sins himself). Phooey on that Lutheran minister who arrogantly and falsely claims to have power to forgive your sins—NO HE DOESN’T. The only One Who can forgive anyone’s sins has nail-scared hands and feet—Jesus Christ. Believe on Him!!!

What Will It Take?

Jonah was your typical person who forgets about God until tragedy strikes. It’s sad, but true, that most of us don’t think about what pleases God until we’re in the back of an ambulance or in a dangerous situation. Whereas Jonah was stubbornly fleeing from the will of God before; now he is in the morbid belly of a whale facing imminent death, crying out in repentance for God to deliver him. Whereas Jonah wasn’t concerned about fulfilling the will of God just days earlier; now he is desperately desiring to do God’s will and preach the Gospel to lost sinners who trust in “lying vanities.”

What will it take for us to surrender our lives to do God’s will? Why does God always have to send a whale to devour us, fiery serpents to bite us (Numbers 21:6), an evil spirit to afflict us (1st Samuel 16:14) or a thorn in the flesh to humble us (2nd Corinthians 12:7). Mankind is sinfully proud and stubborn. Deuteronomy 6:12 warns, “Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” It is so easy to become ungrateful for all the wonderful things that God has done for us. So often as believers we forget about the very God Who brought us forth out of darkness (bondage to sin) and gave to us new life in Jesus Christ.

Trust Upon the Lord Jesus Christ and Simply Say, “Thank You.”

Jonah said that he would sacrifice unto the Lord with “a voice of thanksgiving.” Mankind has no part in salvation other than to receive it through faith in Christ Jesus and say, “Thank you.” Salvation is receiving; not giving. We have zero righteousness of our own. Even our own self-perceived goodness is “filthy rags” in the sight of Almighty God (Isaiah 64:6). The very reason why God sent His Son to pay the price at Calvary for our sins is because we cannot save ourselves. If there are any sins at all on our eternal record, no amount of good can expunge them. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse our sins away forever (1st John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 7:14).

Jonah had a spirit of thanksgiving because he knew that salvation is based upon GOD’S MERCY and not upon man’s own self-righteousness or any other “lying vanities.” Salvation is of the Lord Jesus Christ. We just receive it and say, “Thank you.”

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

by David J. Stewart

Before I share with you this simple but usually overlooked truth, I would like to first look at a few Biblical principles. There is a great misunderstanding amongst feminist groups, as well as among many other groups and people in society today. This misunderstanding involves the proper God-instituted role of a man and a woman in marriage. Many women think that the Bible gives a husband the right to be a dictator, or a slave keeper; however, nothing could be further from the truth. Most men also do NOT understand the Bible’s clear teaching on mutual submission in marriage. Do you mean that the man should sometimes submit to his wife? Absolutely! I will get to this teaching later; for now, please keep reading.

Wives

Firstly, The Bible is clear that a man is to be the head of his own home. The wife is to be obedient to the husband. There can be no arguments here if you believe the Bible.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23).

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands…” (1^st Peter 3:1).

“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:5).

“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan” (1^st Timothy 5:14,15).

It is a shame to hear a wife criticize and tear down her husband in her conversation with others; this is wrong. The Scriptures are clear that a wife is to OBEY her husband.

“Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement” (1^st Peter 3:6).

“Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Ephesians 5:24).

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves…”(Hebrews 13:17).

Wedding vows used to include the phrase “and to obey” on the bride’s part; it is rare to hear these words in a wedding today. It is not old-fashioned to believe that a wife should obey her husband; it is the right way! It is God’s way!

Husbands

Many women turned into militant feminists because they have seen too many men abuse their role as the husband. God actually has much more to say to the husband than he does to the wife. Listen to what the Bible has to say to the husband:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

God commands the husband to love his wife. The Greek word for “love” here means “to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly.” Hence, a man is to give his wife the care, attention, respect, admiration and the cheering up from his heart which she needs.

“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19).

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1^st Peter 3:7).

It is utterly wrong for a man to be a tyrant towards his wife. A husband is to be loving, kind and considerate unto his wife. So many men today are woefully ignorant or trying to take advantage of the biblical teaching regarding marriage.

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband” (1^st Corinthians 7:3).

The word “benevolence” means “goodwill and kindness”. “Goodwill” means “a disposition to kindness and compassion”. Hence, the husband is to be a nice guy unto his wife! He should be far away from being a tyrant jerk. God COMMANDS the husband to be kind and compassionate. This is the wife’s “DUE” treatment. A husband is not supposed to bring his job frustrations home with him and releases them upon his wife. The husband is to deal with the wife “according to knowledge” as the Bible says (1 Peter 3:7). This means use your brain, guys, you’re in charge! You cannot hang around with bears in your hands and expect to have some honey at the same time. Some fellas are just plain selfish and rotten towards their wives. My father used to buy my mom cleaning supplies for Christmas back when I was a kid. Though she never complained, he didn’t treat her very nice. A husband should love and value his wife. “Honour” means “to value” in the Bible. A man who values his wife WILL treat her with dignity and respect. Some men, unfortunately, are complete pigs at home (yes, that is offensive but the truth must be dealt with). Unless your wife is a pig also, I’m sure she would appreciate your better manners.

Likewise, the wife is to show kindness and compassion on the husband. A man told me he was out front of his house cutting the grass. He was sweating heavily after a while. He asked his wife if she’d get him a drink of water. She said, “Get it yourself!” How wicked! How rebellious! If this is you, I pity you on judgment day. A wife is to give “DUE” kindness and compassion to the husband. Surely, a hug, a cup of water, slippers and something to eat are not too much to ask if your man goes to work for you. Likewise, fellas, if your wife works, you should also split the housework accordingly.

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

I’m now going to share with you this simple truth of the matter and I think you’ll be amazed.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

The honest truth is that the husband is also commanded by God to submit to the wife. Yes, the man is the head of his home; however, he is supposed to yield to his wife’s requests and wishes whenever possible—this is love. Many men think that the wife is to be a slave, having no will nor no right of her own. This is untrue! The Bible never teaches that submission is a one-way street. This is what the Bible says, and I believe, that a loving husband will yield to his wife’s wishes 95% of the time; however, for that 5% area where the husband feels he knows best, the wife is to submit to the husband. It basically means that the wife gives the husband veto power over her life. This should not be a problem if the husband is a godly man. A godly man is a kind and compassionate man unto his wife!

The problems certainly arise when the husband is not fulfilling his role and responsibility as a man. Too many husbands expect their wives to obey, but then they provoke their wives to anger by not being kind, respectful and considerate. On the other hand; some wives are abusive and selfish; no matter how much the husband gives, the wife takes and takes and takes. My pastor used to say from the pulpit: “If either one of you were a good Christian, there would be no arguments.” He’s also used to say: “It takes two to tango.”

I discuss this simple truth on mutual submission today because I believe that many folks have gotten the distorted idea about husband’s and wife’s roles in a marriage. Yes, the man is to be the head of his home. Yes, the wife is to give her husband “veto power” over her life. However, a godly and loving husband will not try to manipulate and control his wife. A wife is not to be kept in a cage. The husband is to love his wife with his heart; encourage her; brag on her; build her up. The wife is to do the same for the husband. Marriages could be revolutionized if couples across America would take this truth to heart.

Thus, to further understand this truth, you can apply this same principle to the employer/employee relationship. The employer should allow the employees to have their way most of the time; however, at times  when problems come the employer will have to say: “I’m sorry, but you should not do that.” The employees are to submit to the employer, and then a good employer will work with the employees to find solutions for those problems — notice that the employees must submit first. Likewise, a wife is to submit to her husband, and then the husband submits to the wife — but the wife must submit first. A wife is more likely to submit to a husband that allows her to do things her way most of the time. An employee is more likely to submit to the desires of his/her manager if the manager allows the employees to have their own way most of the time. Whether it is a marriage, a family, a church, or a business; this is God’s method for management and improvement — mutual submission in the fear of God.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

Sincerely, Dave

Another Gospel?

ANOTHER GOSPEL?

By Dr. Harry A. Ironside

HERE is only one Gospel, only one true message of good news from heaven. But there are many substitutes offered in place of the Gospel. It was so in the beginning. It is so now. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians1:6-9)

THESE are intensely solemn words. They come bubbling up from the steaming heart of the indignant apostle in righteous wrath as he learns of pretentious carnal legalists deliberately seeking to mislead eternally-bound souls with a false message which could only, like a will-o-the-wisp, lead to ruin and destruction at last. He would have us know it is a fearfully wicked thing to trifle with the sacred heaven – sent message that has come to a needy world declaring the grace of God to poor lost sinners.

WHAT then is this Gospel of which the apostle was so jealous? He tells us plainly in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4,

“… I declare unto you the gospel… how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Note carefully: The Gospel is God’s wonderful story of His beloved Son. It is a message of grace to be received in faith. It is not a code of laws to be obeyed or good advice to be followed. It is not a system of ritual observances or a call to submit to certain ordinances. It does not set forth the claims of any human church organization, however venerable, nor does it exhort men to seek after experiences, however remarkable, though a blessed experience follows its acceptance. It simply sets forth Christ crucified and risen as the Savior of all who believe in Him.

WHEN THE MORMON elder comes declaring that an angel revealed a gospel of salvation through a restored church and renewed ordinances, he is preaching another gospel, and angel and man are alike under the curse.

WHEN THE LEGALIST comes insisting that salvation is by obedience to God’s holy law (which in itself is just and good), he is preaching another gospel, for the Word of God declares, “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight.”

WHEN THE REVIVALIST comes promising salvation to those “who make a full surrender” of all that they have to God, and who “pay the price of full salvation,” he is preaching another gospel, for the price was paid on Calvary’s cross and the work that saves is finished. It was Christ Jesus who made the full surrender, when He yielded Himself unto death for us that we might be redeemed from the curse of the broken law and forever saved from the judgment to come upon all who refuse His grace.

WHEN THE MODERNIST prates in glowing terms and honeyed phrases of salvation by character, salvation by altruism, salvation by ethical culture, he, too is proclaiming another gospel, for if character could have saved, Christ need not have died; if altruism would have fitted sinful men for heaven, the Lord Jesus would surely have told us so; if ethical culture could deliver from the wrath of God, what place would Gethsemane, Calvary and the Empty Tomb have in the Divine economy?

WHEN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST (falsely so-called) denies the reality of sin, disease and death and lulls sinners to sleep by telling them that “God is all and all is God,” even going so far as to declare the death of Christ was unreal, and His resurrection simply spiritual, and that the blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sins when shed upon the accursed tree than when it was flowing in His veins, he, or she, is promulgating another gospel, which is not another, for it is a baseless dream, a weird and blasphemous “error of mortal mind” that will leave its votaries at last without God and without hope.

THE SOLEMN FACT IS THERE IS NO OTHER GOSPEL. Every pretended substitute is but a Satan-devised delusion meant to turn men away from the strait gate which alone leads into the narrow way, and make them contented as they crowd down the clear side of the broad way to eternal perdition.

BEFORE there can really be another gospel there must be another savior and another Holy Spirit, and this can never be. Nor is any other gospel needed, for the grand old Gospel of the grace of God is all-sufficient to save “whosoever will,” and has demonstrated its power throughout the centuries by transforming lost miserable sinners into happy joyous saints. Paul says,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith” (Romans 1:16,17).

THE Gospel needs only to be preached in the power of the Holy Spirit to hold its own against every imitation and substitute that the mind of the natural man energized by Satan can devise. Like the Bible itself it is divinely inspired and, therefore, preeminently fitted for the needs of mankind. It convinces the mind and satisfies the heart, if men but take the place of repentant sinners and accept it by faith. It is the dynamic of God unto the deliverance of all who believe it. To refuse it is to be lost. To receive its message is to be saved.

IT reveals the righteousness of God, making known how He “can be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.” Satan’s false gospels all pretend to show how man can establish his own righteousness. The Gospel of Christ comes to unrighteous men and tells them of a righteousness that is divine which is imputed to all who believe.

ANOTHER gospel, whatever its outward form, will always be found to center in something that man can be or do in order to obtain merit. The Gospel of God declares what Christ has done in order that the salvation purchased may be justly offered to sinners.

ANOTHER gospel presupposes some strength, some ability to please God, in the natural man. God’s Gospel declares that when “we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

ANOTHER gospel will land you in hell! God’s Gospel, believed, will bring you safe to heaven.

TURNING from every false hope, I beseech my unsaved reader to rest in what Scripture declares concerning Christ, and thus be able to sing in faith:

“Upon a life I did not live, Upon a death I did not die, Another’s life, Another’s death I hang my whole eternity. None will ever be confounded who put their trust in Him.”

***Dr. Harry Ironside (1876-1951), a godly Fundamentalist author and teacher for many years, served as pastor of Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church from 1930-1948.***